South Africa: Primary school completion rate

The latest value from 2023 is 95.33 percent, a decline from 97.1 percent in 2022. In comparison, the world average is 91.23 percent, based on data from 130 countries. Historically, the average for South Africa from 1991 to 2023 is 86.7 percent. The minimum value, 70.76 percent, was reached in 1999 while the maximum of 97.1 percent was recorded in 2022. See the global rankings for that indicator or use the country comparator to compare trends over time.

The percent of all children enrolled in primary school who enter the last grade of primary school; can exceed 100% due to over-aged and under-aged children who enter primary school late/early and/or repeat grades.

Definition: Primary completion rate, or gross intake ratio to the last grade of primary education, is the number of new entrants (enrollments minus repeaters) in the last grade of primary education, regardless of age, divided by the population at the entrance age for the last grade of primary education. Data limitations preclude adjusting for students who drop out during the final year of primary education.